Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has blamed 13 years of alleged misgovernance for the challenges facing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. She made the remarks while reacting to discussions about imposing governor’s rule and an emergency in the province.
In a statement on X, Maryam said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had experienced protests, political disorder, abusive language and social media trends over the past 13 years. She argued that the current debate over governor’s rule and an emergency reflected governance failures rather than the fault of the public.
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Maryam also questioned the differences between Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. She noted that both provinces belong to the same country, operate under the same Constitution and share the national treasury. However, she asked why Punjab was progressing while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa faced insecurity and decline.
The Punjab chief minister attributed the difference to leadership, priorities and administrative ability rather than resources. She cited cleanliness initiatives and scholarships in Punjab, asking why residents and students in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa could not receive similar benefits. According to her, political protests had taken priority over public services in the province.
Maryam also compared public safety and transport projects in the two provinces. She questioned why Punjab could provide green electric buses while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa struggled to deliver comparable projects. She further highlighted unfinished roads and argued that authorities should focus on completing development commitments.
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On healthcare, Maryam referred to free medicines, field hospitals and mobile clinics in Punjab. She asked why patients in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa continued to face difficulties accessing healthcare. She alleged that political power had received greater attention than public health and safety.
Maryam concluded that 13 years of political disorder and poor governance explained the province’s problems. She said Punjab had demonstrated that governments should deliver through practical work rather than political slogans. She added that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa now needed public service instead of political chaos.